Of all the early season storylines, Sean McDermott's defense leading the way to an AFC East lead at the quarter mark is riding far too low on the national radar.

Often when NFL teams make coaching changes, the franchise will seesaw defensive mind to offensive mind or vice versa. This offseason, however, the Buffalo Bills hired McDermott, a heretofore defense coordinator, to take over a team Rex Ryan managed.

Through four weeks, the Bills own the NFL's No. 1 scoring defense (13.5 points per game allowed), given up a league-low four touchdowns, are tied for fourth with seven takeaways, sit fifth in yards per play allowed (4.7), and eighth in yards allowed (306.0).

Last year, the Bills ranked 16th in points per game allowed (23.6), 19th in total yards per game (357.0), and 29th in rushing yards per game allowed (133.1).

Speaking on NFL Network's Good Morning Football on Thursday, Bills linebacker Preston Brown said the difference between 2016 and 2017 is a simplified D.

"We don't like to compare that much with last year, but we know it's a lot simpler," Brown said. "You can see it out there. Guys are having fun. With the 4-3 scheme, we're back to where we are my rookie year. Guys are having fun and just playing fast."